From Graceland To Poundland

Those of us who work full-time know the rush and bustle some lunch times. When every shop you enter has too many aisles and not enough staff. When every retiree seems to have deliberately picked your precious hour to open a new bank account, and the pavements mill with schoolchildren eating fast food.

But today would hold a surprise.

As I queued for an automatic till in Poundland, checking my watch, I saw that one till was empty. The reason? It bore a sign saying Cards only, no cash. Well, that was fine.

As I pressed the buttons prior to scanning my few items a voice came from the machine reminding me that cards only would be accepted. It was an American accent – a familiar one. Was Elvis Presley really helping me today?

Dazed, I completed the transaction while the King drawled “Thank you very much” and then launched into a few bars of “Hound Dog”.

The assistant confirmed that, yes, it was an Elvis voice that had been programmed in, and I left, laughing.

I was still giggling when I came back to the office to tell my colleagues of my surreal encounter, and they agreed this was too good to keep to myself.

So, I just want to say that I do hope something strange and wonderful happens to you on this lovely autumn Friday.

Margaret Scott

Margaret is a sub-editor within the Production Team on the "Friend". Her main job is to work on the stories and make sure the magazine leaves us in its best possible guise. When not doing that, however, she either has her head buried in the old “Friend” volumes or is out and about giving talks or going on Warner trips (fab!). She hates cheese.